An interesting viewpoint. You may have hit on a change in how people are coming to ham radio. Many of us did get our start as teenagers and I did have the challenges you mention. I have had periods of more or less activity; more or less time/money for it. I wonder how old you were when you became a ham 28-years ago? Are you an example of your theory?
But the statistics do show a decline in total numbers in the US and the average age is advancing steadily which does seem to imply that we are lacking a regular influx of younger newcomers to replace the OM's (we are really resembling that).
But perhaps the demographics are shifting to this becoming a retirement hobby vs a life-long one. Time will tell!
Ed - KL7UW
At 07:35 AM 7/16/2008, John Geiger wrote:
I was licensed in 1980 and I have been hearing how ham radio is dying for the past 28 years. So far, it is still here and doing better than ever. Over these 28 years, this dying hobby that is in danger of losing all of its frequencies had been given 5 new bands (60m, 30m, 17, 12m, and 33cm) and has lost small parts of 2 bands (220-222mhz and 1215-1240mhz). We adjusted very well to those loses.
One reason we may not see as many young hams at hamfests is due to the internet. Those of us pre-Algore-internet invention hams relied on hamfests to buy and sell equipment and see new rigs. That is no longer needed as you have ebay, QTH.COM, eham.net, and QRZ.COM as 24 hour a day hamfests where you don't have to pay $4 a gallon for gas, plus extra for unhealthy hamfest food. They don't appreciate hamfests because they really don't need them as we do.
Also, we have seemed to sink into this mentality that everyone gets licensed as a kid and stays licensed there entire life. Therefore, if you don't see many young hams, it means that no one is becoming a ham and we are losing operators. Untrue! Many people get licensed as a retirement hobby or empty nest syndrome hobby. These are perfect people to market the hobby to. They have plenty of disposible income to spend on the hobby and lots of time to operate.
As someone who was licensed at age 13, there are somethings that suck about being a young ham. You don't have much money to spend on rigs and antennas. You live in your parent's house so you are at their mercy for what antennas you can put up. You have school and homework to compete for your time. You go to college which greatly limits funds and time, and then you go into the raising a family (I am there now) which greatly limits funds again, as well as operating time.
So, I think the hobby is doing just fine. We just need to get over this obsession that only kids should become new hams. In my area most of the new licensees are 40 or over, but we are bringing in plenty to replace those who become SKs.
73s John AA5JG
----- Original Message ----- From: K5GNA@aol.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 2:52 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Vanishing Hams
Hi All,
I read the article yesterday that Frank had referred to and forwarded it
to
a few friends.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I received this URL today. Read number 16.
_http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?i_ (http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?i) cid=100214839x1205495530x1200282778
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Every time I go to an annual swapfest, the average age of attendees is one year older. We need to spend some time reaching out to a younger
generation or
#16 on the list will come true.
Many years ago, it was in the national interest to have a cadre of
trained
radio operators. Today, with CB, Cell Phones, cordless phones, FRS,
etc. --
everyone is a radio operator. Now, military communications is done with a keyboard or microphone -- pretty much universal skills now.
As the article mentions, the airwaves are valuable property and we could lose them. Although the Amateur Radio Community shines when there is loss
of
communications during a disaster, with newer technology, even that could
change.
A few years ago at the 2002 AMSAT meeting in Ft. Worth, Tony, AA2TX was giving a talk on his antennas made from cardboard boxes and aluminum
foil. There
was a grade school class in attendance with their teacher. When the talk was over, the kids swarmed over the boxes and aluminum foil to make
antennas
with great enthusiasm. Very inspiring -- this is the kind of reaching
out we
need.
Instead of our self serving pursuit of DXCC, WAS, VUCC, WAC and others, maybe the ARRL needs to sponsor an award for bringing new Hams into the community. Otherwise, someday, no one will remember what those letters
even stood for.
73 & TNX,
Bob K5GNA
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